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The number of self-balancing scooters coming into the country has spiked in recent weeks as sellers prepare for Christmas.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, says that his teams are ‘working around the clock to prevent dangerous items from entering the supply chain,’ and has urged consumers to be vigilant.

Trading Standards has produced a checklist designed to help consumers tell if the device they are buying is safe. It can be found here.

Leon Livermore, Chief Executive, Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “Criminals and irresponsible manufacturers will often exploit high demand and attempt to flood the market with cheap and dangerous products.

“Some products that are made abroad, principally for the overseas market, are not fitted with the correct plug and fuse for use in the UK.

“As a minimum consumers should check that the three pin plug on the device states it is made to BS 1363. If it doesn’t include this information, then don’t buy the product.”

You can contact Trading Standards about any products you think are unsafe on 03454 04 05 06.

Will you be avoiding hoverboard mania this Christmas? Let us know in the comments.